Policy & Media

The BGS takes a leading role in policy debates and media outreach relating to healthcare for older people, acting as a voice for our members and the specialty of geriatrics.

In our policy and media work we promote the need for:

An end to the divide between health and social care.
Increased investment in health and social care for older people.
Access to comprehensive geriatric assessment, personalised care plans for treatment and follow-up for all older people with frailty, dementia, complex and multiple and long term conditions.
The building of greater capacity in intermediate care.
Staff across all care sectors to develop competencies in the management of older patients.
Measures of care to focus on what matters most to older people and their families.

We respond to public consultations to inform and influence the development of healthcare policy with the aim of ensuring that the key changes that we are calling for are addressed.

The BGS produces publications including clinical best practice guidance, and is involved with a number of collaborative projects and pilots across the UK.

Journalists seeking information about our work, or expert comment on older people’s healthcare, please visit our Media Enquiries page.

The BGS is increasingly seen as an important and powerful voice advocating for older people."

Dr Eileen Burns, Clinical Lead for Integration, Leeds, and BGS Past President

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BGS responds to RCP survey about geriatricians’ levels of interest in research

Among those who responded to the RCP survey, geriatricians indicated a lower level of interest in conducting research than other specialities.

New NHS England hospital discharge funding: Your questions

Late on Friday 21 August, the Department of Health and Social Care announced a £588 million fund to support people being discharged from hospital. We encourage BGS members with any questions about how this funding will be implemented to come forward and we will pass these onto NHS England for clarification.

BGS statement on care home testing for COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect in care homes, where there have been 45.9% more deaths in the period from 28 December 2019 to 12 June 2020 than in the same period last year.

BGS responds to reports of a withdrawal of funding for COVID-19 rehabilitation

The British Geriatrics Society was alarmed to learn that there has been a U turn in Government policy regarding the provision of rehabilitation services for people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as reported in the HSJ today.

Professor Adam Gordon wins election for BGS President Elect with largest voter turnout in the Society’s history

Professor Adam Gordon has won the election for President Elect of the British Geriatrics Society (BGS) in a ballot that saw the highest turnout in the Society’s history with a record-breaking 25% of the Society’s membership casting its vote.

‘Sit Up, Get Dressed and Keep Moving!’

Campaign relaunched to give healthcare professionals new resources to combat deconditioning in hospital

Consultant Nurse wins prestigious Marjory Warren Lifetime Achievement Award

Dr Gwyn Grout, an Independent Consultant Nurse, has been awarded the prestigious Marjory Warren Lifetime Achievement Award for her exceptional contribution to the welfare of older people over the course of her 34-year career.

New ‘One-Stop Shop’ for Frailty

The British Geriatrics Society launches new comprehensive Frailty Hub and CPD-accredited Frailty e-Learning module.

50% off BGS membership for 2020

New or lapsed BGS members can now enjoy 50% off membership rates for 2020.

July 2020 issue of Age and Ageing journal is out now

The July 2020 issue of Age and Ageing journal is out now.

BGS statement responding to Prime Minister’s comments on care homes

The BGS strongly condemns comments from the Prime Minister on 6 July stating that ‘too many care homes didn’t really follow the procedures’ during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beneficial innovations from COVID-19

BGS members have been at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic and have been implementing innovative solutions to enable them to deal with the unprecedented demand for services, which have been summarised and submitted to NHS England ans NHS Improvement.

Notice of election for BGS President Elect

The BGS is holding an election for its next President Elect. Members will be able to vote from 24 June at 9am until 24 July at 5pm.

Remembering Professor Archibald Young

Archie Young died from Lewy Body Dementia on 17th March 2020, aged 73. Geriatric Medicine has lost one of its giants, and we have lost a friend, mentor and role model.

Professor Tom Arie, 1933-2020

Remembering Tom Arie, Foundation Professor of the Department of Health Care of the Elderly in Nottingham (1973-1995), who died at his home on Sunday 24 May 2020, aged 86.

Statement from Professor Tahir Masud, President of the BGS

It cannot be denied that the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected older people. This is apparent when you look at the statistics: while only around half of diagnoses of COVID-19 have been in people aged 65 and over, a staggering 89% of deaths have been in that age group.

BGS statement on BAME health workers

As the COVID-19 pandemic has progressed, it has become clear that the Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) community is bearing a disproportionate share of deaths from the virus.

High-quality end of life care will enable older people with frailty to live well and die well, according to new guidelines

‘Protecting older people from COVID-19 must not come at the expense of their health and wellbeing’, warns the British Geriatrics Society

The British Geriatrics Society has warned that the lockdown and social distancing measures, meant to protect vulnerable older people from COVID-19, have led to dangerously low levels of physical activity1. If not addressed as a matter of urgency this will prove to be detrimental to their physical and mental health.

Remembering Dr Medhat Atalla

It was with great sadness that the BGS community learned of the death of Dr Medhat Atalla on 22 April, following treatment for COVID-19.

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